Totally secure messages with Threema

iOS Messages does a great job of encrypting your messages end to end so nobody can eavesdrop on you while you text, but that won't stop someone at Apple headquarters from reading your messages. Authorities admit they are unable to wiretap Messages, but a simple court order and they can force Apple to turn over your messages.

For true security and privacy you need an app like Threema. Threema provides true end to end encryption, varying levels of verification that the person you are sending messages to is actually who they say they are, and totally simply ease of use. Threema has made encrypted messages so easy to use, it really doesn't make sense not to use it. When you send a message to someone, you can be assured that it can only be read on the device that receives it.

When you download the app Threema walks you through a very simple setup process. The app asks you to move your finger around a little box randomly to generate your key pairs. Anyone who has used Truecrypt will be familiar with this process, but it's not difficult at all. As soon as you create your pairs you are issued a Threema Public ID. Your ID will look like a random set of characters. Once you have that ID, you're done. However, you might want to have Threema sync your contacts to see if anyone you know is already using Threema.

To communicate with securely someone you simply have to have their key. You can have Threema sync your contacts and if anyone if your contacts has Threema, you will have their key. Threema verifies email addresses and phone numbers attached to their app so they are relatively sure the person is who they say they are. Every time you receive a message from that contact you will be presented with a set of orange dots, noting a medium level verification of who the person is.

The highest level of verification happens when you scan a Threema user's barcode with your phone. Say you and a friend are having lunch. Your friend can show you the barcode on his/her phone and you scan it with your phone. Now Threema knows your friend's public key and can decrypt messages from them when they send it. This provides the highest level of verification because Threema assumes you know the person if you are able to scan their barcode. You have provided Threema with the ultimate verification of who the person is, and Threema will now show you three green dots whenever you receive a message from them.

All the encryption for Threema happens on the device, and Threema's severs never save your messages once they are delivered. Threema says all of their servers are in Switzerland so they would be outside the reach of most authorities. If you are a serious privacy nut, Threema really is for you.

Threema has several other nice features like a passcode lock, and an erase option that will erase all Threema data from your phone after 10 failed passcode attempts. Threema is also cross platform and is available for iOS and Android. The company has plans to extend its service to other platforms and even the desktop at some point.

If you want truly private conversations on your mobile phone Threema is a fantastic option. They have managed to make encryption easy and secure. The app is as gorgeous as you would expect it to be, and I highly recommend it.